Mounting clamps for securing groupings of battery cells

ABSTRACT

A battery pack includes an enclosure assembly, a battery assembly housed within the enclosure assembly, a mounting structure secured to the enclosure assembly, and a mounting clamp that includes a first section mounted to the mounting structure and a second section contacting the battery assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to mounting clamps for retaining batteryassemblies within a battery pack enclosure assembly.

BACKGROUND

The desire to reduce automotive fuel consumption and emissions is welldocumented. Therefore, vehicles are being developed that reduce orcompletely eliminate reliance on internal combustion engines.Electrified vehicles are currently being developed for this purpose. Ingeneral, electrified vehicles differ from conventional motor vehiclesbecause they are selectively driven by one or more battery poweredelectric machines. Conventional motor vehicles, by contrast, relyexclusively on the internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle.

A high voltage battery pack typically powers the electric machines andother electrical loads of the electrified vehicle. The battery packincludes a plurality of battery cells that store energy for poweringthese electrical loads. The battery cells are often packaged together inone or more assemblies that are housed inside an enclosure assembly.These assemblies may need secured relative to one another and/orrelative to the enclosure assembly.

SUMMARY

A battery pack according to an exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure includes, among other things, an enclosure assembly, abattery assembly housed within the enclosure assembly, a mountingstructure secured to the enclosure assembly, and a mounting clampincluding a first section mounted to the mounting structure and a secondsection contacting the battery assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing battery pack, thebattery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells disposed along afirst longitudinal axis.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing batterypacks, a second battery assembly including a plurality of battery cellsis disposed along a second longitudinal axis that is laterally spacedfrom the first longitudinal axis.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the mounting clamp includes a third section contacting the secondbattery assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the first section is a base of the mounting clamp and the secondsection is a flexible wing of the mounting clamp.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the flexible wing includes an end flange that contacts a topsurface of the battery assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the mounting clamp includes a base, a first flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base, and a second flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the base includes a fastener platform having an opening forreceiving a fastener.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the fastener extends into the mounting structure.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the base includes a first plurality of cut-outs, and each of thefirst flexible wing and the second flexible wing includes a secondplurality of cut-outs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, a bridge extends between the first flexible wing and the secondflexible wing.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the bridge is established by a first tab extending from the firstflexible wing and a second tab extending from the second flexible wing.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the second tab overlaps the first tab.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the mounting clamp includes a base, a flexible wing protrudingaway from the base, and an end flange disposed at an opposite end of theflexible wing from the base.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the mounting structure is a T-bracket.

A battery pack according to another exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure includes, among other things, a first grouping of batterycells disposed along a first longitudinal axis and a second grouping ofbattery cells disposed along a second longitudinal axis laterally spacedfrom the first longitudinal axis. A mounting clamp is disposed betweenthe first and second groupings of battery cells and includes a first endflange touching the first grouping of battery cells and a second endflange touching the second grouping of battery cells.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing battery pack, themounting clamp includes a base, a first flexible wing protrudinglaterally away from the base, and a second flexible wing protrudinglaterally away from the base.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing batterypacks, the first end flange is part of the first flexible wing and thesecond end flange is part of the second flexible wing.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, each of the base and the first and second flexible wings includesweight reducing cut-outs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing batterypacks, the mounting clamp includes a base that is mounted to a mountingstructure disposed between the first and second groupings of batterycells.

The embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs,the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any oftheir various aspects or respective individual features, may be takenindependently or in any combination. Features described in connectionwith one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless suchfeatures are incompatible.

The various features and advantages of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a powertrain of an electrified vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a battery pack for an electrified vehicle.

FIG. 3A is a blown up view of select portions of the battery pack ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary interconnection between a batteryassembly and a mounting clamp of a battery pack.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E illustrate an exemplary mounting clamp ofthe battery pack of FIGS. 2 and 3A.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary battery pack.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary mounting clamp of the battery pack ofFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure details various battery pack designs for use withinelectrified vehicles. An exemplary battery pack includes a batteryassembly and a mounting clamp for retaining the battery assembly withina battery pack enclosure assembly. The mounting clamp is configured toexert a clamping load against the battery assembly, thereby arrestingmovement of the battery assembly along an axis. These and other featuresare discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs of thisdetailed description.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a powertrain 10 for an electrifiedvehicle 12. Although depicted as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), itshould be understood that the concepts described herein are not limitedto HEV's and could extend to other electrified vehicles, including, butnot limited to, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV's), batteryelectric vehicles (BEV's), fuel cell vehicles, etc.

In an embodiment, the powertrain 10 is a power-split powertrain systemthat employs first and second drive systems. The first drive systemincludes a combination of an engine 14 and a generator 18 (i.e., a firstelectric machine). The second drive system includes at least a motor 22(i.e., a second electric machine), the generator 18, and a battery pack24. In this example, the second drive system is considered an electricdrive system of the powertrain 10. The first and second drive systemsare each capable of generating torque to drive one or more sets ofvehicle drive wheels 28 of the electrified vehicle 12. Although apower-split configuration is depicted in FIG. 1, this disclosure extendsto any hybrid or electric vehicle including full hybrids, parallelhybrids, series hybrids, mild hybrids or micro hybrids.

The engine 14, which may be an internal combustion engine, and thegenerator 18 may be connected through a power transfer unit 30, such asa planetary gear set. Of course, other types of power transfer units,including other gear sets and transmissions, may be used to connect theengine 14 to the generator 18. In a non-limiting embodiment, the powertransfer unit 30 is a planetary gear set that includes a ring gear 32, asun gear 34, and a carrier assembly 36.

The generator 18 can be driven by the engine 14 through the powertransfer unit 30 to convert kinetic energy to electrical energy. Thegenerator 18 can alternatively function as a motor to convert electricalenergy into kinetic energy, thereby outputting torque to a shaft 38connected to the power transfer unit 30. Because the generator 18 isoperatively connected to the engine 14, the speed of the engine 14 canbe controlled by the generator 18.

The ring gear 32 of the power transfer unit 30 may be connected to ashaft 40, which is connected to vehicle drive wheels 28 through a secondpower transfer unit 44. The second power transfer unit 44 may include agear set having a plurality of gears 46. Other power transfer units mayalso be suitable. The gears 46 transfer torque from the engine 14 to adifferential 48 to ultimately provide traction to the vehicle drivewheels 28. The differential 48 may include a plurality of gears thatenable the transfer of torque to the vehicle drive wheels 28. In anon-limiting embodiment, the second power transfer unit 44 ismechanically coupled to an axle 50 through the differential 48 todistribute torque to the vehicle drive wheels 28.

The motor 22 can also be employed to drive the vehicle drive wheels 28by outputting torque to a shaft 52 that is also connected to the secondpower transfer unit 44. In a non-limiting embodiment, the motor 22 andthe generator 18 cooperate as part of a regenerative braking system inwhich both the motor 22 and the generator 18 can be employed as motorsto output torque. For example, the motor 22 and the generator 18 caneach output electrical power to the battery pack 24.

The battery pack 24 is an exemplary electrified vehicle battery. Thebattery pack 24 may be a high voltage traction battery that includes aplurality of battery assemblies 25 (i.e., battery arrays or groupings ofbattery cells) capable of outputting electrical power to operate themotor 22, the generator 18, and/or other electrical loads of theelectrified vehicle 12. Other types of energy storage devices and/oroutput devices could also be used to electrically power the electrifiedvehicle 12.

In an embodiment, the electrified vehicle 12 has two basic operatingmodes. The electrified vehicle 12 may operate in an Electric Vehicle(EV) mode where the motor 22 is used (generally without assistance fromthe engine 14) for vehicle propulsion, thereby depleting the batterypack 24 state of charge up to its maximum allowable discharging rateunder certain driving patterns/cycles. The EV mode is an example of acharge depleting mode of operation for the electrified vehicle 12.During EV mode, the state of charge of the battery pack 24 may increasein some circumstances, for example due to a period of regenerativebraking. The engine 14 is generally OFF under a default EV mode butcould be operated as necessary based on a vehicle system state or aspermitted by the operator.

The electrified vehicle 12 may additionally operate in a Hybrid (HEV)mode in which the engine 14 and the motor 22 are both used for vehiclepropulsion. The HEV mode is an example of a charge sustaining mode ofoperation for the electrified vehicle 12. During the HEV mode, theelectrified vehicle 12 may reduce the motor 22 propulsion usage in orderto maintain the state of charge of the battery pack 24 at a constant orapproximately constant level by increasing the engine 14 propulsion. Theelectrified vehicle 12 may be operated in other operating modes inaddition to the EV and HEV modes within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack 24 that can be employedwithin an electrified vehicle. For example, the battery pack 24 could bepart of the powertrain 10 of the electrified vehicle 12 of FIG. 1. FIG.2 is a perspective view of the battery pack 24, and some externalcomponents (e.g., an enclosure assembly 58) are shown in phantom tobetter illustrate the internal components of the battery pack 24.

The battery pack 24 houses a plurality of battery cells 56 that storeenergy for powering various electrical loads of the electrified vehicle12. The battery pack 24 could employ any number of battery cells withinthe scope of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to theexact configuration shown in FIG. 2.

The battery cells 56 may be stacked side-by-side to construct a groupingof battery cells 56, sometimes referred to as a “cell stack” or “cellarray.” In an embodiment, the battery cells 56 are pouch, lithium-ioncells held by interlocking mounting frames. However, battery cellshaving other geometries (cylindrical, prismatic, etc.), otherchemistries (nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, etc.), or both couldalternatively be utilized within the scope of this disclosure.

The battery cells 56, along with any support structures (e.g., arrayframes, spacers, rails, walls, plates, bindings, etc.), may collectivelybe referred to as a battery assembly. The battery pack 24 depicted inFIG. 2 includes a first battery assembly 25A and a second batteryassembly 25B that is side-by-side with the first battery assembly 25A.Although the battery pack 24 of FIG. 2 is depicted as having a twobattery assemblies, the battery pack 24 could include a greater numberof battery assemblies within the scope of this disclosure.

The battery cells 56 of the first battery assembly 25A are distributedalong a first longitudinal axis A1, and the battery cells 56 of thesecond battery assembly 25B are distributed along a second longitudinalaxis A2. In an embodiment, the first longitudinal axis A1 is laterallyspaced from the second longitudinal axis A2. The first and secondbattery assemblies 25A, 25B are therefore positioned side-by-siderelative to one another in this embodiment.

An enclosure assembly 58 houses each battery assembly 25A, 25B of thebattery pack 24. In an embodiment, the enclosure assembly 58 is a sealedenclosure that includes a tray 60 and a cover 62 that is secured to thetray 60 to enclose and seal each battery assembly 25A, 25B of thebattery pack 24. In an embodiment, the first and second batteryassemblies 25A, 25B are both positioned atop the tray 60 of theenclosure assembly 58, and the cover 62 may be received over the firstand second battery assemblies 25A, 25B. The enclosure assembly 58 mayinclude any size, shape, and configuration within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A, a mounting clamp 64 is disposed between thefirst battery assembly 25A and the second battery assembly 25B. Themounting clamp 64 is configured to apply clamping loads L for retainingthe first and second battery assemblies 25A, 25B relative to theenclosure assembly 58. In an embodiment, the mounting clamp 64 appliesthe clamping loads L in a vertical direction (i.e., along a z-axisrelative to the battery assemblies 25A, 25B). Thus, in this exemplaryembodiment, the mounting clamp 64 resists movement of the batteryassemblies 25A, 25B in the z-axis direction to retain the batteryassemblies 25A, 25B against the tray 60 of the enclosure assembly 58.

The mounting clamp 64 includes a first dimension D1 extending along anx-axis (or horizontal axis), a second dimension D2 extending along az-axis (or vertical axis), and a third dimension D3 extending along they-axis (or longitudinal axis). In an embodiment, the second dimension D2of the mounting clamp 64 is less than a second dimension D2′ of thebattery assemblies 25A, 25B along the z-axis, and the third dimension D3of the mounting clamp 64 is less than a third dimension D3′ of thebattery assemblies 25A, 25B along the y-axis. In other words, in anembodiment, the length and height of the mounting clamp 64 are smallerthan the length and height of the first and second battery assemblies25A, 25B. However, the actual size of the mounting clamp 64 relative tothe battery assemblies 25A, 25B is not intended to limit thisdisclosure.

In an embodiment, the mounting clamp 64 is made of a plastic material,such as nylon. In another embodiment, the mounting clamp 64 is made of ametallic material, such as steel. Other materials are also contemplatedwithin the scope of this disclosure.

In another embodiment, the mounting clamp 64 is fixedly secured to amounting structure 66 that protrudes upwardly from the tray 60 and isdisposed at a location axially between the first and second batteryassemblies 25A, 25B. The mounting structure 66 could be any component ofthe battery pack 24. In an embodiment, the mounting structure 66 is anintegral component of the enclosure assembly 58. In another embodiment,the mounting structure 66 is a T-bracket that is fixedly mounted to thetray 60 for separating the first battery assembly 25A from the secondbattery assembly 25B of the battery pack 24. One or more fasteners 68,such as threaded fasteners, may be inserted through the mounting clamp64 and into the mounting structure 66 for retaining the batteryassembles 25A, 25B within the enclosure assembly 58.

Although fixedly secured to the mounting structure 66, the mountingclamp 64 is not fixedly secured to either of the battery assemblies 25A,25B. Instead, a portion of the mounting clamp 64 extends along andcontacts a top surface 70 of each battery assembly 25A, 25B. The topsurface 70 may be established by interlocking mounting frames that holdthe battery cells 56. As discussed in greater detail below, the portionsof the mounting clamp 64 that are contiguous with the top surfaces 70 ofthe battery assemblies 25A, 25B may slightly move or slide relative tothe top surfaces 70 during battery pack loading events. However, themounting clamp 64 is designed to maintain the clamping loads even asthese portions are displaced relative to the top surfaces 70 of thebattery assemblies 25A, 25B.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, the portion (here, a flexiblewing 76) of the mounting clamp 64 that contacts the top surface 70 ofeach battery assembly 25A, 25B may include a slot 71 that is configuredto be received over a nub 73 that protrudes outwardly form the topsurface 70. The nub 73 may be hook-shaped, in an embodiment. Theinterconnection between the nub 73 and slot 71 helps prevent the portionof the mounting clamp 64 from slipping off of the top surface 70.

FIGS. 4A-4E, with continued reference to FIGS. 2-3A, illustrateadditional details of the exemplary mounting clamp 64 described above.FIG. 4A is a perspective view, FIG. 4B is a top view, FIG. 4C is a sideview, and FIGS. 4D and 4E are end views of the mounting clamp 64.

The mounting clamp 64 may include a base 72, a first flexible wing 74,and a second flexible wing 76. The first flexible wing 74 and the secondflexible wing 76 may extend laterally and upwardly away from the base72. Together, the base 72, the first flexible wing 74, and the secondflexible wing 76 establish a monolithic structure having no mechanicalfasteners. When mounted, the base 72 interfaces with the mountingstructure 66, the first flexible wing 74 interfaces with the firstbattery assembly 25A, and the second flexible wing 76 interfaces withthe second battery assembly 25B (see FIG. 3A).

In an embodiment, the mounting clamp 64 is generally V-shaped. TheV-shaped configuration is best illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4D. However,other shapes are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure(see, e.g., the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6).

The base 72 may include one or more fastener platforms 78. Each fastenerplatform 78 includes an opening 80 for receiving a fastener (see feature68 of FIGS. 2-3A). One fastener may be received through each opening 80,and then into the mounting structure 66, for fixedly securing themounting clamp 64 axially between the first and second batteryassemblies 25A, 25B.

The base 72 may additionally include one or more cut-out sections 82 forreducing the weight of the mounting clamp 64. In an embodiment, thecut-out sections 82 extend through the base 72 and are disposed betweenadjacent fastener platforms 78.

The first flexible wing 74 and the second flexible wing 76 may alsoinclude a plurality of cut-out sections 84. A first portion of thecut-out sections 84 may connect to the cut-out sections 82 of the base72, and a second portion of the cut-out sections 84 may partiallysurround the fastener platforms 78 of the base 72.

In an embodiment, the cut-out sections 84 of the first and secondflexible wings 74, 76 are arch-shaped. However, other shapes arecontemplated within the scope of this disclosure. The size and shape ofthe various cut-out sections 82, 84 of the mounting clamp 64 aredesigned to distribute stresses and further reduce the weight of themounting clamp 64. Additionally, the cutout sections 82, 84 are designedto reduce the minimum space required between arrays due to the need fortool clearance/access to the fasteners 68 during assembly.

In yet another embodiment, each of the first flexible wing 74 and thesecond flexible wing 76 includes an end flange 86 located at an end ofthe mounting clamp 64 that is opposite from the base 72. The end flanges86 are the portions of the mounting clamp 64 that extend over top of thefirst and second battery assemblies 25A, 25B for exerting the clampingloads L, thereby substantially resisting movement of the batteryassemblies 25A, 25B in the z-axis direction. The end flanges 86 maycontact the top surface 70 of each battery assembly 25A, 25B and areconfigured to slide along the top surfaces 70 as the first and secondwings 74, 76 flex during battery pack loading events. The clamping loadsL are maintained by the end flanges 86 even as the first and secondflexible wings 74, 76 flex or otherwise move.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4D, the end flanges 86 may be curved, whichmay be beneficial for distributing the amount of force being applied tothe tops of the battery assemblies 25A, 25B. The curvature of the endflanges 86 may also create springs that provide a variable spring loadeffect to the top surface 70 of the battery assemblies 25A, 25B, thusresulting in linearly increasing loads rather than a constant loadvalue. The linear spring and varying load can also account for array andclamp height variations and help minimize tolerance issues.

In an embodiment, the end flanges 86 includes a first curved portion 88that curves in a direction toward the base 72 of the enclosure assembly58 and a second curved portion 90 that curves in a direction away fromthe base 72. Other end flange configurations are also contemplatedwithin the scope of this disclosure (see, e.g., the mounting clampembodiment of FIG. 6). The end flanges 86 may contact the batteryassemblies 25A, 25B near the location of the second curved portions 90,which in this embodiment are located closer to a distal-most end 91 ofthe end flanges 86.

A bridge 92 may extend between the first flexible wing 74 and the secondflexible wing 76 of the mounting clamp 64. The bridge 92 is configuredto increase the stiffness of the first and second flexible wings 74, 76.Therefore, the bridge 92 influences the amount of clamping forcesexerted by the mounting clamp 64.

In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 4D, the first flexible wing 74includes a first tab 94 and the second flexible wing 76 includes asecond tab 96 that extends toward the first flexible wing 74 andoverlaps the first tab 94. The second tab 96 may be spot welded orotherwise secured to the first tab 94 to establish the bridge 92. Spotwelding the bridge 92 shifts the axis of rotation about the flexiblewings 74, 76 upwardly in the z-axis direction, thereby shortening themoment arm of the flexible wings 74, 76 and strengthening the mountingclamp 64.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 4E, a single tab 98 extends fromthe first flexible wing 74 to the second flexible wing 76 to establishthe bridge 92.

FIG. 5 illustrates a battery pack 124 according to another embodiment ofthis disclosure. The battery pack 124 may include an enclosure assembly158 that houses a first battery assembly 125A and a second batteryassembly 125B. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first batteryassembly 125A of the battery pack 124 is stacked on top of the secondbattery assembly 125B rather than side-by-side with the second batteryassembly 125B.

One or more mounting clamps 164 may be secured inside the enclosureassembly 158 for exerting clamping loads L against the first and secondbattery assemblies 125A, 125B. In an embodiment, two mounting clamps 164are utilized, with one mounting clamp 164 positioned on each lateralside of the battery assemblies 125A, 125B. Although clamping loads L areshown being asserted against two battery assemblies 125A, 125B in FIG.5, the mounting clamp 164 can be configured to assert clamping loadsagainst one or more battery assemblies.

The mounting clamps 164 are configured to apply clamping loads L in avertical direction (i.e., along a z-axis) directly against the firstbattery assembly 125A. Since the first battery assembly 125A is stackedon top of the second battery assembly 125B, the clamping loads L areindirectly applied to the second battery assembly through the firstbattery assembly 125A. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the mountingclamps 164 arrest z-direction movement of both the first and secondbattery assemblies 125A, 125B.

Each mounting clamp 164 may be fixedly secured to a mounting structure166 (two shown) located within the enclosure assembly 158. One mountingstructure 166 is shown positioned on each lateral side of the first andsecond battery assemblies 125A, 125B. In an embodiment, the mountingstructures 166 are integral components of the enclosure assembly 158. Inanother embodiment, the mounting structures 166 are T-brackets that arefixedly mounted to a portion of the enclosure assembly 158. One or morefasteners 168, such as threaded fasteners, may be inserted through themounting clamps 164 and into the mounting structures 166 for restrictingz-axis movement of the battery assembles 125A, 125B.

Although fixedly secured to each mounting structure 166, the mountingclamps 164 are non-fixedly secured to either of the battery assemblies125A, 125B. Instead, a portion of each mounting clamp 164 extends alongand contacts a top surface 170 of the first battery assembly 125A toapply the clamping loads L.

FIG. 6, with continued reference to FIG. 5, illustrates additionaldetails of the exemplary mounting clamp 164. The mounting clamp 164 mayinclude a base 172, a flexible wing 174, and an end flange 186. Theflexible wing 174 may extend laterally and upwardly away from the base172. Together, the base 172, the flexible wing 174, and the end flange186 establish a monolithic structure having no mechanical fasteners.When mounted, the base 172 interfaces with the mounting structure 166and the end flange 186 interfaces with the first battery assembly 125A(see FIG. 5).

In an embodiment, the mounting clamp 164 is generally Z-shaped. However,other shapes are further contemplated within the scope of thisdisclosure (see, e.g., the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4D).

The base 172 may include one or more fastener platforms 178. Eachfastener platform 178 includes an opening 180 for receiving a fastener(see feature 168 of FIG. 5). One fastener may be received through eachopening 180 and then into the mounting structure 166 for fixedlysecuring the mounting clamp 164 within the battery pack 124.

The base 172 may additionally include one or more cut-out sections 182for reducing the weight of the mounting clamp 164. In an embodiment, thecut-out sections 182 extend through the base 172 and are disposedbetween adjacent fastener platforms 178 of the base 172.

The flexible wing 174 may also include a plurality of cut-out sections184. A first portion of the cut-out sections 184 may connect to thecut-out sections 182 of the base 172, and a second portion of thecut-out sections 184 may partially surround the fastener platforms 178of the base 172.

In an embodiment, the cut-out sections 184 of the flexible wing 174 arearch-shaped. However, other shapes are contemplated within the scope ofthis disclosure. The size and shape of the various cut-out sections 182,184 of the mounting clamp 164 are designed to distribute stresses andfurther reduce the weight of the mounting clamp 164.

The end flange 186 is located at an opposite end of the flexible wing174 from the base 172. The end flange 186 is the portion of the mountingclamp 164 that extends over top of the first battery assembly 125A forexerting the clamping loads L, thereby substantially resisting movementof the battery assemblies 125A, 125B in the z-axis direction.

A bridge 192 may extend between the flexible wing 174 and the base 172at each opposing end of the mounting clamp 164. The bridge 192 isconfigured to increase the stiffness of the mounting clamp 164. In anembodiment, the flexible wing 174 includes a first tab 194 and the base172 includes a second tab 196 that overlaps the first tab 194. Thesecond tab 196 may be welded or otherwise secured to the first tab 194to establish the bridge 192.

The battery packs of this disclosure include mounting clamps forretaining groupings of battery cells within the pack. The exemplarymounting clamps provide a cost effective and light weight structure forretaining battery assemblies while achieving clamping load requirements.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated ashaving specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosureare not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to usesome of the components or features from any of the non-limitingembodiments in combination with features or components from any of theother non-limiting embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. Itshould be understood that although a particular component arrangement isdisclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, otherarrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that certain modifications could come within the scope ofthis disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should bestudied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery pack, comprising: an enclosureassembly; a battery assembly housed within the enclosure assembly; amounting structure secured to the enclosure assembly; and a mountingclamp including a first section mounted to the mounting structure and asecond section contacting the battery assembly.
 2. The battery pack asrecited in claim 1, wherein the battery assembly includes a plurality ofbattery cells disposed along a first longitudinal axis.
 3. The batterypack as recited in claim 2, comprising a second battery assemblyincluding a plurality of battery cells disposed along a secondlongitudinal axis that is laterally spaced from the first longitudinalaxis.
 4. The battery pack as recited in claim 3, wherein the mountingclamp includes a third section contacting the second battery assembly.5. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the first section isa base of the mounting clamp and the second section is a flexible wingof the mounting clamp.
 6. The battery pack as recited in claim 5,wherein the flexible wing includes an end flange that contacts a topsurface of the battery assembly.
 7. The battery pack as recited in claim1, wherein the mounting clamp includes a base, a first flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base, and a second flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base.
 8. The battery pack as recitedin claim 7, wherein the base includes a fastener platform having anopening for receiving a fastener.
 9. The battery pack as recited inclaim 8, wherein the fastener extends into the mounting structure. 10.The battery pack as recited in claim 7, wherein the base includes afirst plurality of cut-outs and each of the first flexible wing and thesecond flexible wing includes a second plurality of cut-outs.
 11. Thebattery pack as recited in claim 7, comprising a bridge that extendsbetween the first flexible wing and the second flexible wing.
 12. Thebattery pack as recited in claim 11, wherein the bridge is establishedby a first tab extending from the first flexible wing and a second tabextending from the second flexible wing.
 13. The battery pack as recitedin claim 12, wherein the second tab overlaps and is secured to the firsttab.
 14. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the mountingclamp includes a base, a flexible wing protruding away from the base,and an end flange disposed at an opposite end of the flexible wing fromthe base.
 15. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein themounting structure is a T-bracket.
 16. A battery pack, comprising: afirst grouping of battery cells disposed along a first longitudinalaxis; a second grouping of battery cells disposed along a secondlongitudinal axis laterally spaced from the first longitudinal axis; anda mounting clamp disposed between the first and second groupings ofbattery cells and including a first end flange touching the firstgrouping of battery cells and a second end flange touching the secondgrouping of battery cells.
 17. The battery pack as recited in claim 16,wherein the mounting clamp includes a base, a first flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base, and a second flexible wingprotruding laterally away from the base.
 18. The battery pack as recitedin claim 17, wherein the first end flange is part of the first flexiblewing and the second end flange is part of the second flexible wing. 19.The battery pack as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the base andthe first and second flexible wings includes weight reducing cut-outs.20. The battery pack as recited in claim 16, wherein the mounting clampincludes a base that is mounted to a mounting structure disposed betweenthe first and second groupings of battery cells.